The French government has confirmed that May 1 (International Workers' Day, the only public holiday in France that is both mandatory and fully paid) will retain its protected status, after Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou announced the executive would not pursue a legislative reform that sought to allow certain small businesses to employ staff on the day. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu halted the bill's progress by declining to convene a joint parliamentary committee that could have fast-tracked its adoption before this year's holiday, saying the government seeks "in-depth social dialogue" with unions over which sectors might eventually be permitted to operate on May 1. The climbdown was welcomed by major trade unions including the CGT and CFDT, though former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and conservative leader Bruno Retailleau criticised the government for what they called repeated capitulations to union pressure.